Chapter 10

"You lost 29 Deatheaters and still didn't get Potter?" Voldemort shouted.

"My lord," pleaded Bellatrix, "He is more powerful than we thought."

"Incompetence is not a good enough excuse!" he raised his wand at Bellatrix but was interrupted by someone entering the throne room.

"Milord, Potter has just arrived in one of the dungeons." The man said. Voldemort lowered his wand from Bellatrix and a cruel grin appeared on his face.

"It appears that one of my faithful servants did their job properly. You are spared for now Bellatrix. In fact I shall reward you. Show Potter some hospitality." She smiled wickedly.

"As you wish Milord." She left the dark lord's throne room and headed to get her revenge.

Harry woke up with both of his hands and legs chained to a wall. He was in a cold, damp dungeon and he didn't have to guess where it was. He was in the lair of lord Voldemort and he knew it. Voldemort would punish Harry for killing two of his Deatheaters. Seeing the two dead bodies in his head he felt suddenly sick. When he first saw them he reasoned that he had done the right thing, but he had been able to capture Deatheaters without killing them. He was a killer, no better than them. If Voldemort would punish him for killing them he would accept it. Anything he could to do to relieve the overwhelming guilt he felt.

His body ached from the uncomfortable position he was in and he was completely helpless. His wands had been taken from him and he had been stripped of his robes leaving him in his undergarments. He could still feel the invisible rings on his fingers and was thankful he had some protection. But that was little consolation because he was trapped and completely at the mercy of Voldemort and his Deatheaters. His friends would be powerless to get him out. They didn't know where Voldemort's fortress was. Even Dumbledore would have to accept Harry was out of reach. As much as it hurt Harry to admit, he was all alone.

The door to his cell opened and Bellatrix walked in and Harry stared at her with cold hatred.

"You're finally awake," she said evilly, "I didn't want to have my fun with you while you were unconscious."

"Do what you want to me," Harry spat, "At least I will die for a good cause"

"A good cause!" Bellatrix shouted. "You are naïve Potter if you think what you fight for is good. Those of us who follow my master know we are doing the magical world a service. We are purging it of those undeserving of magical training. Filthy mudbloods are inferior witches and wizards! But you will not die for your cause. You will suffer excruciating pain and agony, and you will beg for mercy before the end!"

"I would never beg for mercy from you, you twisted bitch!"

Bellatrix grinned again. "I know I'm twisted, that's what gives me so much power. You know, your Godfather would have been a good Deatheater if it wasn't for his stupid ideals and morals."

"Sirius turned his back on you and the rest of his family a long time ago."

"True, but his choice didn't exactly help him live a good life. And now he isn't here to protect his precious Godson, the famous Harry Potter."

"Enough talk." Harry said hatefully. "Do what you came to do."

"With pleasure," Bellatrix said and pulled out a small pocket knife from her robes. She flicked out the blade and walked slowly towards Harry. Harry swore to himself he wouldn't give her the pleasure of screaming, no matter what she did. She moved the flat side of the blade slowly against Harry's cheek savouring the moment then, with the sharp side, drew a long cut down the side of his cheek. Harry grimaced in pain but didn't say anything or try to move away.

"Spells are good most of the time," Bellatrix said sadistically. "But I find muggle methods can be far more satisfying." She squeezed the cut on Harry cheek and watched the blood ooze out. She then put the point of the knife at the top of Harry's lightning shaped scar and pierced the skin enough so that blood would come out, then she traced along the scar with the knife until the whole thing was open and bleeding. Harry had felt worse pain come from his scar before but that didn't stop him from wincing slightly. She forcefully ripped his t-shirt off and slashed his chest with the knife then slashed both his arms and his abdomen. It hurt like hell but Harry didn't show it.

"I see that this will not be very effective on you," she said. "A bit too slow maybe?" she drew her wand and pointed it at Harry's chest. "Crucio!" she shouted and Harry was overcome with agonizing pain. His whole body was burning, he felt tears coming form his eyes and prayed for the curse to be lifted. It was like hot knives were stabbing him mercilessly and he needed to scream, but he couldn't, he had vowed not to give her that pleasure.

After what seemed like a lifetime the curse was lifted and Harry tried to catch his breath.

"You are strong little Potter, but I will break you. Soon you will say my name in fear." She stormed out of the room and Harry fell into unconsciousness.

In Grimuland Place things were chaotic. Kyla, Hermione and Ginny were sobbing hysterically and Mrs. Weasley was tearing strips out of Moody, Kingsley and Arthur for letting Harry get portkeyed away. The three of them had no answer for what had happened, one minute Harry was there and the next minute he and one of the Deatheaters just vanished. Remus' state shock had quickly gone and he had become angry and stormed out of the room. Dumbledore had been contacted immediately but hadn't yet returned from Bulgaria.

Even Snape seemed quite disturbed by what had happened. Molly turned her attention to him, "Severus you know where the dark lord is can you get him out?"

"I'm afraid I cannot. I do not know where Potter is being held captive and there is no way I could get him out undetected. Even if I could accomplish these things it would compromise my position and reveal my true loyalties. I'm sorry Molly; there is nothing any of us can do."

"What will they do to him Severus?" she asked close to tears.

Snape seemed unable to meet Molly's eyes but he said, "You do not want to know." The he turned and left the room. Molly began to cry and was comforted by Mr. Weasley.

"We can't sit here and do nothing!" Kyla shouted. "We need to save him!" Tears were still coming down her face.

"You heard what Severus said," Moody said. "There's nothing we can do."

Kyla was becoming more and more angry. "I can't believe you're just going to give up on him!" she yelled. "He'd die to save any one of you and you're just going to write him off!" she stormed out of the room and up to her bedroom where she sobbed into her pillow. Dumbledore will be here soon, she thought, he'll know what to do.

For three days Harry had been tortured for hours on end by Bellatrix and every night he prayed to die while he slept. He had not been able to keep his vow and on the third day of merciless torturing he had screamed in agony as tears came unbidden to his eyes. He received only water and was feeling malnourished. The sadistic face of Bellatrix Lestrange was etched into his brain and he had never felt such enmity towards anyone before. The cuts on his face and body were beginning to fester and were causing more pain than they had originally.

Harry had considered escape, but even he got past the guards outside his cell he had no idea how to get out of this place. Despair was threatening to overwhelm Harry. The only thing that kept him sane was images of Tonks that he brought to the front of his mind every time he considered giving in.

Everyday Bellatrix would ask him the same thing, "Are you ready to submit to the will of the dark lord Potter?" and everyday Harry would reply with a firm no. After 5 days of torturing it abruptly stopped. He was given proper meals and pumpkin juice which he ate hungrily and without worrying about manners he used his fingers to shovel the food into his mouth. Every day Harry felt a little bit stronger and more like himself. He knew Voldemort must have a reason for doing this and Harry was sure it wasn't out of kindness.

It was three days before Dumbledore arrived at Grimuland place and when he did he looked sad and aged. Everyone noticed the change and feared that Harry's capture had taken a big toll on him. Dumbledore's presence normally brought hope but when they saw him like this they felt even less hope than they had originally. Kyla had asked Dumbledore what they could do to save Harry because everyone else seemed to think he was a lost cause. She explained what Severus had said but also asked Dumbledore if there was another way to get Harry out.

Dumbledore looked at her somberly, "Severus is right," he said. "And there is no other way for us to get to Harry, Voldemort's fortress is hidden from us and it will be well guarded against intruders. Whatever happens now is down to Harry." At hearing Dumbledore's words Tonks felt more alone than she had ever done in her life. She would constantly look at the necklace he had given her as a symbol of hope and prayed for Harry's safety.

Moody approached Dumbledore obviously with something weighing heavily on his mind.

"What is it Alastor?" Dumbledore asked.

"I think it would be best if she wasn't here for this," he said motioning towards Kyla. Kyla looked offended but Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively. "Just say what is on your mind Alastor," Dumbledore said calmly.

"I've seen what Deatheaters do to their captives," he said. "And I know that it would take weeks of intense torture to break Potter's mind." At this Kyla let out an involuntary gasp at the thought of Harry becoming completely incoherent. "They won't try and turn Potter into a vegetable," he continued. "But what if they can turn him to their side?"

"That is a valid point Alastor," Dumbledore conceded.

"Surely you don't think Harry would join Voldemort?" Kyla asked disbelievingly. "He's the most loving person I know, he would never do that!"

"Torture can take the love out of anybody," Moody said gravely.

"I can't believe you're even considering the possibility that Harry could turn evil. Professor Dumbledore surely you don't think that Harry would go bad?"

"Alastor is right, torture can do terrible things to a persons mind, but Harry is different. He will not be swayed by pain. He is the most determined person I have ever met. He will die before giving himself to Voldemort, that's why I fear for his safety."

After about 2 weeks of proper meals and fluids Harry was virtually back to full strength. He knew this might be one big ploy to lull him into a false sense of security but with his newly regained strength came a new surge of hope. He would not die in a cell, he would fight to get back to the people that he loved and most importantly, he would kill Bellatrix Lestrange.

The door to his cell opened and Bellatrix walked in. Harry smiled at her which surprised her.

"You won't be smiling for much longer," she said. "The Dark Lord wants to see you in his throne room."

"Throne room? Sounds nice." Harry said sarcastically.

She put a body bind curse on Harry before removing his shackles. He fell and hit the stone floor but didn't wince. Bellatrix motioned for the two guards outside Harry's cell to come and escort him to Voldemort's throne room. They put him in a plain black, hooded robe and dragged him roughly down the corridors of the dark lord's fortress as he tried desperately to spot an exit that he might be able to use should he get chance but he saw nothing. Bellatrix opened a big pair of double doors and walked into Voldemort's throne room. It was a huge room with a vaulted ceiling and four statues in each of the four corners. The floor and walls were plain stone and the only thing regal about the throne room was the chair upon which Lord Voldemort sat. The gold chair was inlayed with silver and looked terribly uncomfortable. Scanning the room Harry's eyes found what he had been so desperately searching for: an open window. If he could only transform into his Animagus form then he could fly out of the window. All he needed now was the opportune moment.

The guards dragged Harry in front of Voldemort. His pale face and slits for eyes did nothing to intimidate Harry. Voldemort dismissed the two guards and with a wave of his wand he lifted the body bind curse off Harry, who slowly stood to face his enemy.

"Harry Potter," he said after a time. "I trust you have made the most of my hospitality?" he said mirthfully. Harry stood silently and merely stared at Voldemort.

"Ah, defiance. I respect that." Voldemort said. "But it will not save your life." He pulled out two wands from his pocket and Harry realized that they were his. "However," Voldemort continued. "These wands might." Harry wondered what Voldemort was up to, but for now he just had to wait and see. "I know you know the prophecy young Potter and I can take it from your mind whenever I want. I will do eventually but first there is something I want to do. I am going to give you your wands back, and even their pretty little holsters. You are going to fight Bellatrix here."

"What!" Bellatrix shouted. "You're giving him his wands?"

"Are you scared of facing him Bellatrix?" Voldemort asked.

"No master, I am sorry for shouting."

"Now, as I was saying, if you choose not to fight Bellatrix I will rip the prophecy from your mind right now and then kill you." Harry didn't like that option. He was defenseless against Voldemort because he didn't have his wands back yet. "If you choose to fight Bellatrix there are three possible outcomes. One, you lose the duel; I take the prophecy and kill you. Two, you win the duel and refuse to give me the prophecy so I take it and kill you. As you can see the first two options result in your death so you might prefer option three. If you beat Bellatrix, you take her place at my side and swear loyalty to me. You will share the prophecy willingly and you will live, and so will all your friends. I will personally protect them from harm but you will serve me." Voldemort's last offer was sorely tempting to Harry. He had a chance to save his friends from possible death, but he would sacrifice the Wizarding world to do so. No he couldn't do that. He would have to fight Bellatrix. Then he would either have to face Voldemort or try and escape.

"What will it be Potter?" Voldemort asked. Harry took the wands form his hands and prepared to duel Bellatrix. His torturer was about to pay dearly for what she had done, both torturing him and for taking his Godfather away from him. Bellatrix looked slightly scared now that Harry wasn't defenceless like he had been when she tortured him. She quickly masked her fear and took her dueling stance. Harry didn't wait for Bellatrix to start and he fired off the first spell.

"Slasio!" he shouted and Bellatrix neatly dodged the curse. Harry threw up his shield as Bellatrix responded with another slashing surse. It rebounded off the shield and Bellatrix was forced to dodge it. "Diffindo!" Harry yelled as Bellatrix shot another curse at Harry. The curses rebounded off each other and hit the walls of the room making it shake. "Reducto!" Bellatrix yelled, and the floor in front of Harry exploded and he was blown back as rocks penetrated his shield.

"Potter, is that all you've got?" she mocked. Harry drew his second wand and shot two stunning curses at Bellatrix. She just about dodged them and to Harry's surprise she started laughing. "Potter, after your display at Diagon Alley I thought you were good. Apparently your Godfather didn't train you very well." Harry's fists clenched in rage. This woman who had killed his godfather and tortured him was laughing and taunting him. Harry felt pure magical energy surge through him and he could see the silver magical energy travel down his veins into his hands. He got up and stared menacingly at Bellatrix. She saw the silver magical energy outline his eyes and didn't hesitate to attack him again. "crucio!" she shouted.

He didn't try and dodge the curse and it was just absorbed by his shield. Bellatrix was stunned. No shield could stop the cruciatus curse.

Harrys fury reached a climax "CRUCIO!" He bellowed and two flashes of light erupted from his wand and combined to form a huge sphere of energy. It hit Bellatrix squarely in the chest and she screamed in agony. She fell to the floor writhing in pain. Her body convulsed in pain and her body was starting to spasm but still Harry didn't lift the curse. His pure hatred of this woman was keeping the spell on her. When he finally lifted the curse his desire to hurt her had not diminished. All this time Voldemort just watched without devoid of any emotion.

She lay on the floor and Harry walked over to her crumpled form, "Now you will die." He said viciously.

"No! Don't kill me!" she pleaded

"You took away my godfather then tortured me mercilessly! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO PLEAD FOR MERCY!" Harry yelled. She began to cry hysterically and beg for her life. Harry's hatred increased as this pathetic woman degraded herself and begged for a life she didn't deserve. He raised both his wands and pointed them at her.

"Avada-" he began but a voice in his subconscious cut him off. 'You are not a cold blooded killer' it said. It was right; if he killed her he would be no better than any other Deatheater. Harry lowered his wands and turned to face Voldemort.

"You disappoint me Potter," he said. "After all she has done to you, you still cannot kill her."

"I am not a killer." He said defiantly.

"Apparently not," Voldemort said. "You now have a choice to make. Join me or die." Harry looked around and saw the open window.

"I choose neither." He said as he summoned a wall between him and Voldemort. He turned and ran towards the open window transforming into his Animagus form as he went. He dove out of the window and flapped his wings. He heard Voldemort scream as he flew as far away from the fortress as possible. Now all he had to do was find a way back to Hogwarts.

At Hogwarts the students had just returned from Christmas break and were at the welcoming feast in the great hall. They seemed happy that Dumbledore was back and even though the ministry was still in a poor condition a new minister had been elected and he would hopefully improve the Wizarding world. Since the capture of Harry Potter the Wizarding world had lost a lot of its hope of defeating Voldemort. After reading about how he had defeated 24 Deatheaters before he was captured the Wizarding community knew they had lost one of their most powerful wizards.

Kyla had returned to Hogwarts even though Dumbledore said she didn't need to now that Harry wasn't there but she went anyway, just in case. She, along with Hermione, Ginny and Ron hadn't given up hope that Harry would return but with each passing day it became harder for them to hold onto that hope.

Dumbledore stood to address the year looking older than ever before. "I am glad to be back here at Hogwarts," he started happily. "And I hope we can continue with things as normally as possible despite current affairs. As you all know Harry Potter was captured by Lord Voldemort after valiantly overcoming over 20 Deatheaters." At this some of the girls in the hall began to cry. "I will do my very best to lead us all through these dark times. If we stand together we shall be harder to overcome. As much as it pains me to say it, we cannot rely on Harry Potter returning to us. The chances of that are very slim." As he said this the doors to the great hall opened and the whole school turned to see a hooded figure in the doorway.

Harry Potter pulled his hood down. "Slim, but not impossible" he said.